Smoke of London - Energy and Environment in the Early Modern City

William M. Cavert investigates the origins of urban air pollution, explaining how this problem arose during the early modern period.

List of contents

Prologue: the smoke of London; Part I. Transformations: 1. The early modernity of London; 2. Fires: London's turn to coal, 1575-1775; 3. Airs: smoke and pollution, 1600-1775; Part II. Contestations: 4. Royal spaces: palaces and brewhouses, 1575-1640; 5. Nuisance and neighbours; 6. Smoke in the scientific revolution; Part III. Fueling Leviathan: 7. The moral economy of fuel: coal, poverty, and necessity; 8. Fueling improvement: development, navigation, and revenue; 9. Regulations: policing markets and suppliers; 10. Protections: the wartime coal trade; Part IV. Accommodations: 11. Evelyn's place: fumifugium and the royal retreat from urban smoke; 12. Representations: coal smoke as urban life; 13. Movements: avoiding the smoky city; Epilogue; Bibliography; Index.

About the author

William M. Cavert is a historian of early modern Britain focusing on urban and environmental history, holding a Ph.D. from Northwestern University, Illinois. He has published 'The Environmental Policy of Charles I: Coal Smoke and the English Monarchy, 1624–1640' in the Journal of British Studies, as well as related studies in Global Environment and Urban History. His work has been supported by grants from The Mellon Foundation, the Huntington Library, the Horowitz Foundation for Social Policy, Northwestern University, the University of Cambridge, and the University of St Thomas, Minnesota, and by a fellowship at Clare College, Cambridge. His current research examines Britain during the Little Ice Age, focusing on cold winters, disasters, and relationships with animals.

Summary

London was the early modern world's most polluted city, and its dependence on coal had profound consequences for public health, the environment, and ultimately politics and culture. William M. Cavert presents a detailed study of how inhabitants and travelers accommodated themselves to London's smoky air.

Product details

• Authors: William M. Cavert, William M. (University of St Thomas Cavert, Cavert William M.
• Publisher: Cambridge University Press ELT
• Languages: English
• Product format: Paperback / Softback
• Released: 31.12.2018
• EAN: 9781107421318
• ISBN: 978-1-107-42131-8
• No. of pages: 294
• Series: Cambridge Studies in Early Modern British History; Cambridge Studies in Early Mod; Cambridge Studies in Early Modern British History
• Subjects: Humanities, art, music > History > Regional and national histories; Non-fiction book > History > Miscellaneous; London, Greater London, European History, Nature / Environmental Conservation & Protection, HISTORY / Europe / General, c 1500 onwards to present day, British & Irish history, Pollution & threats to the environment, Pollution and threats to the environment, Modern Period, C 1500 Onwards